France
Iran leader hints at first direct US nuclear talks
Mar 21, 2013 13:25 EDT
Iran's supreme leader on Thursday signalled openness for the first time to US offers to hold direct talks on his country's disputed nuclear drive, but voiced pessimism over the chances of a breakthrough.
European stocks retreat on disappointing data, Cyprus
Mar 21, 2013 13:17 EDT
European stock markets slid Thursday as disappointing eurozone data and the Cyprus bailout impasse overshadowed strong Chinese economic performance.
Haitian farmers call for 'food sovereignty'
Mar 21, 2013 13:01 EDT
Hundreds of small farmers have converged on the central Haitian city of Hinche to demand more space to grow their own crops in a country that imports more than half of its food.
European stocks head lower again
Mar 21, 2013 10:34 EDT
European stock markets slid Thursday as traders looked past strong Chinese economic data to focus on bleak eurozone news, notably fallout from the Cyprus bailout impasse.
Boko Haram video of kidnapped French family emerges
Mar 21, 2013 10:12 EDT
A video of a French family of seven kidnapped last month which also purports to show the alleged leader of Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram was obtained by AFP on Thursday.
France says Malian soldier, 10 Islamists slain in Timbuktu
Mar 21, 2013 09:15 EDT
France said Thursday around ten Islamist fighters and one Malian soldier had been killed in overnight fighting near Timbuktu airport in northern Mali.
Boko Haram says force will not help free French hostages
Mar 21, 2013 06:42 EDT
A Nigerian Islamist group warned against the use of force to free a French man and six members of his family kidnapped in Cameroon in a video aired on Thursday.
Hermes posts record profit in 2012
Mar 21, 2013 06:23 EDT
Luxury fashion group Hermes, known for silk scarves and handbags, reported on Thursday a record profit for 2012, confirming a stellar performance for France's luxury industry as a whole last year.
Eurotunnel triples profits after Olympic boost
Mar 21, 2013 05:50 EDT
Eurotunnel said Thursday it tripled profits in 2012 on a boost in passenger numbers from the London Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee celebrations.
Welby looks to pour oil on Anglican troubled waters
Mar 21, 2013 04:52 EDT
Former oil executive Justin Welby will be enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury on Thursday after speeding through the Church of England ranks to face the challenge of shepherding the fractious Anglican Communion through the coming years.
West calls for UN inquiry into Syria chemical attack reports
Mar 20, 2013 19:29 EDT
Britain, France and the United States called Wednesday for a United Nations inquiry into accusations by the Syrian government and the opposition of chemical weapons attacks.
Pentagon chief hails French action in Mali
Mar 20, 2013 18:46 EDT
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday hailed France's military intervention in Mali in a phone call with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, thanking Paris for its "active leadership," officials said.
Mali to have sovereignty over 'most' of its territory soon: France
Mar 20, 2013 18:15 EDT
French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday said Mali's sovereignty over almost all of its territory would be restored within "a few days".
Famed French cave paintings on exhibit in Chicago
Mar 20, 2013 16:59 EDT
Stunning reproductions of the famed cave paintings of Lascaux are being displayed for the first time outside of France at an exhibit in Chicago opening on Wednesday.
Qaeda says French hostage executed in Mali
Mar 20, 2013 16:16 EDT
Paris was scrambling Wednesday to verify a claim by Al-Qaeda's north African branch that it has executed a French hostage in retaliation for France's military intervention in Mali.
Del Bosque admits to France fears
Mar 20, 2013 14:59 EDT
Spain coach Vincente Del Bosque has admitted he fears France ahead of the two European giants' 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Stade de France next Tuesday.
Don't make us scapegoats for 6Nations woe - French clubs
Mar 20, 2013 14:28 EDT
French clubs on Wednesday fired back at criticism labelling them as the main reason France performed so badly in the recently-concluded Six Nations.
Khamenei urges Iran to stand up to sanctions
Mar 20, 2013 14:17 EDT
Iran began the Persian New Year on Wednesday with its most senior leader asking the people to stand up to piling Western economic sanctions and also warning that the pressure was unlikely to ease.
French troops to pull out of Mali 'from end' of April: PM
Mar 20, 2013 14:02 EDT
French troops will begin pulling out of troubled Mali "from the end of April", French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told parliament on Wednesday.
France game 'key to qualification' - Busquets
Mar 20, 2013 13:33 EDT
Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets is targeting six points from two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France over the next six days to help secure the world champions place in Brazil next year.
